I'm looking to purchase either a spare tire or two plus tubes. I have been using my bike to commute to work and feel like having an extra tire on hand just in case. I'm riding a hybrid with 700c X 35 tires on mostly paved roads and bike paths. I really enjoy my ride to work and would hate to even miss a day because I had to get to the store for tires or anything else I can anticipate a need for. So I'd like to tap the knowledge here; I really enjoy reading this forum. TIA

You need a spare inner tube and something to inflate it with.

Most bikes have quick release wheels which eliminates the need for any tools to remove the wheel. Most riders need a tire lever for removing your tire but the same QR lever will work just fine.

Knowing how is important. Many bike shops and bicycling organizations hold hands-on classes for repairing flat tires. Honestly, if you can just fix your own flat tires you are prepared for 99% of the mechanical problems that are likely to occur on the road.

I keep two spare tubes and a patch kit. I had two flats on one trip to work. I save carrying a spare folding tire for the day I do an unescorted tour in Patagonia.

Your ideas sound good. Do you have a question though?

One thought for you, a flat rear tire is not as bad as a flat front tire. If you do need to get a new tire, put the new one on the front. If the rear tire is the one that needs replacing, put the old front one on the rear and the new one on the front.

+1

And don't forget you need something to inflate the tire after replacing the inner tube on the side of the road. I use a C02 inflater for going to work and a mini-pump for the way home. You can pump some air into the inner tube using the pump an finish it off with CO2. CO2 is fast and you don't want to be late to work.

I would also recommend not putting an old front tire on the rear. The rear tire gets most of the abuse and you want your best tire there.

Something else I use is a tire liner. StopFlats is an advertiser on the forum. Panaracer Pasela GT is a folding tire with a kevlar belt. It's my current tire of choice.

That's always a bad idea..you want your best tire in front, it's the same with cars and with bikes. Your front tire hits trouble first, so you want your best tire there.

About those small frame pumps and high pressure tires,The best bet is C02 because after about 60-70 pounds it get hard as hell to pump.

Or a good pump.

CO2 is good for speed, a hand pump is good for when you run out of CO2 cartridges.

Tubes can be pretty small and fit easily in most seat bags; I have a tube, two tire levers, two CO2 cartridges, a micro-sized CO2 inflator chuck, and a patch kit in a small bag.

Just don't forget to refill a CO2-inflated tire with plain air when you get home, since the CO2 leaches through the rubber and the tube eventually deflates.

[QUOTE=SweetLou;6653781]Your ideas sound good. Do you have a question though?

Your right I didn't really ask a question although many people seem to be answering one. I didn't express myself very well and I apologize. What I intended asking was about tires and tubes; which ones would be best for riding paved roads that are size 700c X 35. I noticed that there are many tires and they vary in price and I assume quality? My question was worded badly, thats why most replies are kind of general like the need for a pump and leavers for removing tires.

In the 70's I bought a road bike and a book called the Complete Book of Cycling; I think that was the title, I learned a great deal from the book and even built several wheels from instructions in it. Most of what I know or think I know is probably out of date because I only was involved in cycling for a few years before I became a runner and rarely road after that. Now I'm back in saddle again so to speak; my knee isn't working well enough to run and biking seems a good alternative for many reasons such as an economic alternative to driving. I want to thank those of you who responded to my post for your helpful attitude.